I need help with my rent

Suddenly realising you canât pay the rent is a scary feeling and it can be shocking to realise you may be facing eviction. Weâve listed all your options and the places you can go to get help, so you can start getting control of the situation.Â Â

I canât pay my rent this month, what should I do?Â

Talk to someone you trust and ask for a loan to get you through the rough patch. Donât feel scared or ashamed â rising rents and shrinking paycheques mean many people are struggling financially. It takes courage to speak up but itâs a vital step to resolving the problem.

If possible, avoid telling your landlord if itâs just a single monthâs payment â you donât want to give them the impression youâre having problems as this will add more stress.

I havenât paid my rent for a while and Iâm scared Iâll be evicted

If it looks like youâre facing a longer-term struggle to pay your rent, you have to consider all the options â and you should definitely tell your landlord this time, as they may be able to set a payment plan to help you get through a tricky time.

Itâs also really important you get advice from a housing adviser immediately. You can also get support from our helpline. There are special procedures any landlord has to follow before they can evict tenants – so keep all your paperwork and records to prove your case.

Donât just ignore the problem â it will only get worse. Most likely, youâll have to move to a cheaper area or larger house share to keep costs down. If you are already living very cheaply, you may need to apply for housing benefit.

What is housing benefit?Â

Housing benefit is paid by councils to help people who are on benefits or a low income, pay their rent. Because of high rent costs, many people rely on housing benefit even though they are working.

Thereâs no set amount â what you get depends on whether you rent from a landlord, council or housing association, what your income is and the area you live in. In some areas housing benefit has been replaced by Universal Credit.

How does it work?

To claim housing benefit, apply to your local council, or do it at the same time as you claim any other benefits.

The council will look at the amount of rent and service charges you pay, or if you have other adults living with you. They should make a decision within 14 days but it can take longer. You may be able to get a âpayment on accountâ to tide you over.

How do I claim if Iâm renting privately?

If youâre privately renting, are under 35, single and donât have children, youâre only allowed to claim the cost of renting a room in a shared house â not your own flat or house. This rule applies even if you canât find shared accommodation – but there are exceptions, for example, if youâre severely disabled.

The so-called âbedroom taxâ means youâre only allowed a certain number of bedrooms and may lose housing benefit for any âspareâ rooms.

Can I get housing benefit if Iâm a student?

You can claim housing benefit if youâre studying for a part-time degree, if youâre under 19 and on a course below degree level, or if you have children. Thereâs more detail here.

Iâm under 18 â can I claim housing benefit?

Yes. But if youâre renting privately and single, the amount you can get is limited. The only exception is if youâre leaving care. If youâre under 18 and homeless, your council have a legal duty to make sure you have a home.

What if my housing benefit isnât enough?

You can appeal a decision if your housing benefit does not cover your rent. Get in touch with a local adviser for help.

Can I get a loan to help with my rent?

Local councils run loan schemes to help people whoâre struggling. Find your local council here.

The social fund is a pot of money which provides interest-free loans, at a minimum of Â£100, to help people on benefits pay any rent arrears or moving costs. You can apply at a local Jobcentre Plus.

Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)

If youâre already on housing benefit, you can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP). This payment helps people who get housing benefit, but are having trouble paying rent. It can be paid weekly or as a lump sum, and can also be backdated.

It is not a long-term answer, because the amount available is limited. Get in touch with your local council to apply.

What else can I do?

If you have to move house because of rising costs, you can get help with your deposit through a ârent bond schemeâ.

Ask your family or friends for support â any help from loved ones wonât affect your benefits. Try negotiating with your landlord to see if they will agree a cheaper rent or accept a delayed rent payment.

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What is Money for Life?

Money for Life is a three-year programme inspiring a generation to make the most of their money. From empowering you to feel confident and start talking openly about money to providing high-quality training and crucial support systems; Money for Life equips 16-25 year olds across the UK with the knowledge, life skills and provision needed to manage their money. The three-year programme is delivered by UK Youth and is funded by Lloyds Banking Group.